Strengthening national biodiversity and forest carbon stock conservation through landscape-based collaborative management of Cambodia’s Protected Area System as demonstrated in the Eastern Plains Landscape (CAMPAS project)

Strengthening national biodiversity and forest carbon stock conservation through landscape-based collaborative management of Cambodia’s Protected Area System as demonstrated in the Eastern Plains Landscape (CAMPAS project)

Terms of Reference for Project Steering CommitteeBackground The Project Steering Committee (PSC) is responsible for undertaking management-related and technical decisions for the project in accordance with the terms of reference herein, and to provide guidance and direction for project implementation on a regular basis. The steering committee will meet at least once per year, but preferably twice or as needed, meeting the first time during or directly after the project inception workshop, with follow-up meetings on dates to be determined. The project steering committee will review and approve project six-month and annual work plans and reports. Based on approved six-monthly plans, it will endorse project disbursements for further approval and provision. It is also required to authorize any substantive deviation from the agreed annual work plan. The steering committee ensures that necessary resources are committed, and arbitrates on any conflicts within the project or negotiates a solution to any problems between the project and external bodies. The steering committee approves the responsibilities of the National Project Coordinator.
Chaired by the MoE, the project steering committee will comprise the following members:

In addition, the PSC will include, as support staff and observers, the National Project Coordinator and the Chief Technical Advisor. Technical advice for the PSC will be forthcoming from the CAMPAS Technical Working Group.

Scope of work Specific responsibilities of the Project Steering Committee include:

Ensure that project objectives are fulfilled in an effective and efficient manner

Approve work plans and budgets, and other reports that may be required.

Monitor and evaluate project implementation to ensure consistency with the approved work plans and results framework of the project and ensure compliance with the rules and procedures.

Ensure that UNEP/ GEF is informed of any changes or issues likely to impact on the delivery of the project outcomes as per the Project Result Framework

Review, revise, and approve terms of reference of staff, consultants, and contractors required to assist in project implementation, as proposed by the National Project Coordinator (NPC).

Terms of Reference for National Project DirectorScope of Work National Project Director (NPD) play a key role in the overall project execution, and has the daily responsibility for management, coordination, and supervision of project implementation, and delivery of the results in accordance with the project document and agreed work plans. The Project Director will be a part-time secondment from the Ministry of Environment, and supported on a daily basis by the Project Coordinator. The terms of reference of the project officer will be further developed during the project inception phase.
Responsibilities of the NPD will include to:

Supervise development, and facilitate implementation, of a comprehensive monitoring and reporting system for the project.

Ensure timely preparation of detailed annual work plans and budgets for approval by Project Steering Committee.

Assist in the identification, selection, and recruitment of staff, consultants, contractors, and other experts as required.

Supervise, coordinate, and facilitate the work of the administrative/ technical team (consisting of the assistant coordinator, finance/administration staff and national and international consultants).

Control expenditures and assure adequate management of resources.

Identify relevant, on-going activities by other government and non-government agencies and establish linkages/networks.

Provide input to management and technical reports and other documents as described in the monitoring and evaluation plan for the overall project. Reports should contain assessments of progress in implementing activities, including reasons for delays, if any, and recommendations on necessary improvements.

Demonstrated solid knowledge of biodiversity conservation and protected area management

Experience in the public participation development process associated with environment and sustainable development an asset

Experience in working and collaborating within governments an asset.

Excellent knowledge of English including writing and communication skills

Reporting The National Project Coordinator will be a staff member of the MoE. The coordinator will work closely with the Project Steering Committee, Chief Technical Advisor, and UNEP to ensure the availability of information on progress and performance in the implementation of the project.

Terms of Reference for National Project CoordinatorScope of Work The National Project Coordinator (NPC) will be a key player in project execution, closely liaising with the Project Director and field project personnel, and coordinating all aspects of project implementation management and supervision project and delivery in line with the project document and work plans, and as directed by the Project Director. The National Project Coordinator will be a full-time secondment from the Ministry of Environment, and supported on a daily basis by the Project Officer(s). The terms of reference of the national Project Coordinator will be further developed during the project inception phase.
Responsibilities of the NPC will include to help the Project Director to:

Supervise development, and facilitate implementation, of a comprehensive monitoring and reporting system for the project, in close liaison with the Project Director.

Ensure timely preparation of detailed annual work plans and budgets for approval by the Project Director and the Project Steering Committee.

Assist in the identification, selection, and recruitment of staff, consultants, contractors, and other experts as required.

Supervise, coordinate, and facilitate the work of the administrative/ technical team (consisting of the assistant coordinator, finance/administration staff and national and international consultants).

Control expenditures and assure adequate management of resources.

Identify relevant, on-going activities by other government and non-government agencies and establish linkages/networks.

Advice and provide input on Protected Area management, species and habitat conservation, landscape connectivity and restoration, community-development work, integrating biodiversity in government processes, and project impact monitoring.

Assist with the integration and follow up in the Ministries with the communications work supported by the project.

Provide input to management and technical reports and other documents as described in the monitoring and evaluation plan for the overall project. Reports should contain assessments of progress in implementing activities, including reasons for delays, if any, and recommendations on necessary improvements.

Inform the Project Director, without delay, of any issue or risk, which might jeopardize the success of the project.

Liaise and coordinate with UNEP as instructed by the Project Director.

Qualifications

Masters degree in environment, natural resources management, or a closely related field

A minimum of 10 years relevant work experience

Demonstrated solid knowledge of biodiversity conservation and protected area management

Experience in the public participation development process associated with environment and sustainable development an asset

Experience in working and collaborating within governments an asset.

Excellent knowledge of English including writing and communication skills

Reporting The National Project Coordinator will be a staff member of the MoE and report to the Project Director. The coordinator will work closely with the Project Director, and as needed with the Project Steering Committee, the Chief Technical Advisor, and UNEP to ensure the availability of information on progress and performance in the implementation of the project.
Terms of Reference for Project Officer(s)Scope of Work The Project Officer(s) will work closely with the National Project Coordinator to effectively manage the project at the field and central levels, according to the assignment and needs. The Project officer(s) will delegate work to the project consultants as needed, and in particular fully lead in monitoring the activities under component two (landscape level) and support the National Project Coordinator in monitoring the activities under component one (national and policy level). Additionally, the project officer(s) will act as a liaison between the National Project Coordinator, communication officer, and the other administrative/technical staff. The terms of reference of the project officer will be further developed during the project inception phase.
Responsibilities of the project officer(s) will include to:

Monitor work progress and ensure timely delivery of outputs, reporting to the National Project Coordinator regarding project progress.

Supervise/ carry out development and implementation of the project monitoring and reporting system, in line with items under the Results Framework, including those to be defined during the inception phase of the project.

Supervise, coordinate, and facilitate the work of technical field teams as needed to ensure successful delivery of project outcomes.

Identify relevant, on-going activities by other government and non-government agencies and establish linkages/networks.

Provide input to technical reports and other documents as described in the monitoring and evaluation plan for the overall project. Reports should contain assessments of progress in implementing activities, including reasons for delays, if any, and recommendations on necessary improvements.

Inform the National Project Coordinator, without delay, of any issue or risk, which might jeopardize the success of the project.

Qualifications

Bachelors degree in environment, natural resources management, or a closely related field

A minimum of five years relevant work experience

Demonstrated solid knowledge of biodiversity conservation and protected area management

Experience participation development process associated with environment and sustainable development

Knowledge of English including writing and communication skills is an asset

Reporting The Project Officer(s) will be staff member(s) of the MoE, seconded full time to the project. The Project Officer(s) will work directly under the National Project Coordinator and liaise with the National Project Coordinator and Chief Technical Advisor and other members of the project implementation staff to ensure the availability of information on progress and performance in the implementation of the project.
Terms of Reference for the Project Communications OfficerThe Assistant Coordinator will work closely with the National Project Coordinator and in liaison with the Chief Technical Advisor to effectively implement all aspects of project communication. The Project Coordination Officer will act as focal point for project communication needs, and will be directly involved in project communication campaigns, in direct liaison with other project communications staff. The terms of reference of the Project Communications Officer will be further developed during the project inception phase.
Scope of Work The Project Communication Officer(s) will work closely with the National Project Coordinator to effectively manage all aspects of project communication, and in particular those related to Output 1.3, deliverable 1.3.1: National communications campaign to support landscape-based biodiversity and ecosystem services conservation designed and monitored and 1.3.3: Strategic information and publications to support policy and planning process. The Project Communication officer will delegate work to the project consultants as needed, and in particular for the professional production of communication materials and actual on-the-ground implementation of the communications campaign. The terms of reference of the project officer will be further developed during the project inception phase.
Responsibilities of the Project Communications Officer will include to:

Carry out assessment of information and behavioral baselines for communications campaign regarding national biodiversity and system of protected areas.

Participate and supervise definition of tools to measure communications campaign impact over time

Participate in definition of strategic implementation of communications campaign.

Supervise development and conduction of the national communications campaign, particularly helping to coordinate campaign efforts in the field.

Help define measures and means to disseminate information on the national system of protected areas.

Supervise, coordinate, and facilitate the work of technical field teams as needed to ensure successful delivery of project outcomes.

Help design the project information website and supervise its maintenance.

Inform the National Project Coordinator, without delay, of any issue or risk, which might jeopardize the success of the project’s communications campaign.

Qualifications

Bachelors degree in environmental communication or a closely related field

Experience and participation in the development and conduction of communications campaigns

Knowledge of English including writing and communication skills is an asset

Reporting The Project Communications Officer does not need be staff member of the MoE. He/she will report directly to the National Project Coordination Officer, and will work closely with the National Project Coordinator, Chief Technical Advisor, and other members of the project implementation staff to ensure successful implementation of the project’s communication objectives.

Terms of Reference for the Chief Technical Advisor (CTA) Scope of Work The Chief Technical Advisor will provide technical guidance on the implementation of the project to the Project Manager and will assist the Project Manager in leading the project. The Chief Technical Advisor is to be sourced as an international consultant as likely the technical expertise required is currently unavailable within Cambodia.
Responsibilities

Provide advice on best suitable approaches and methodologies for achieving project targets

Provide a technical supervisory function to the work carried out by the other technical assistance consultants contracted by the project

Provide senior advice and input to the project on Protected Area management, species and habitat conservation, landscape connectivity and restoration, community-development work, integrating biodiversity in government processes, and project impact monitoring

Reporting The Chief Technical Advisor will report to the chair of the Project Steering Committee. The advisor will cooperate with the National Project Coordinator to ensure the availability of information on progress and performance in the implementation of the project. The advisor will support the National Project Coordinator to liaise with and coordinate with technical advisors (consultants). In the implementation of duties, the advisor will work in close collaboration with UNEP in consultation.